My Other Self
In the spiritual life we are warned that focusing on one vice to the exclusion of others, may lead to the increase of vice in other areas of our lives, so too in ministry and business may the same situation arise. Such was the situation for Truth & Love. A weekly blog became a monthly blog and eventually, it became an intermittent blog. Our apologies, we will work on our side of the relationship.
God expressly created us to be in relationship with other persons (Gen 1:26) and later declared that “it is not good for man to be alone” (Gen 2:18). In fact, lack of relationship has been shown to be significantly detrimental for human development, but we will talk of that another time. To give flesh to our renewed vision, we will focus on the human person and the importance of relationships in the person’s development and happiness over the upcoming months.
Truth & Love then stands in a unique place since truth, knowledge in accordance with reality finds its culmination not in the “Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything…42” (Adams, 1980), but rather in relationship with a person, Jesus Christ, who is the Truth.
Benedict XVI shows illustrates the progression from the truth of creation to Truth the person in Caritas in Veritate.“ Truth, in fact, is lógos which creates diá-logos, and hence communication and communion.” Enabling persons “to let go of their subjective opinions and impressions,” and move beyond psychosocial limitations to come together “in the assessment of the value and substance of things.” When lived in this manner “truth opens and unites our minds in the lógos of love [directed to the Good and True]: this is the Christian proclamation and testimony of charity” which is only realized in relationship with Christ Himself (Benedict XVI, 2009).
Our job then is to encounter the person in truth and by means of communion and communication open them to receive the person of Christ. For it is only in truth that charity may shine forth and may be lived out fully. “Without truth, charity degenerates into sentimentality. Love becomes an empty shell, to be filled in an arbitrary way.” (Benedict XVI, 2009)
Each truth will be explicated, contextualized, and related to the person and its effect on the person’s relationships. Then the goal is to have real persons with experience of the emotional, psychological, social, relational, cultural, religious, et al. dimensions that arise from their encounter with the truth, to respond. So I ask for your patience as we get this off the ground.
Finally, I have been asked, “Whose is this blog for?” The answer is that it is for anyone in a helping relationship with someone experiencing questions about sexuality, gender, chastity, orientation, or other similar areas; who wish to share the fullness of Truth & Love found in the teachings of the Catholic Church in a loving and compassionate manner.
Adams, D. ( 1980). The hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy. New York: Harmony Books.
Benedict XVI. (2007). Spe Salvi. accessed January, 19, Vatican.va.
Benedict XVI. (2005). Deus Caritas Est. accessed January, 19, Vatican.va.
Benedic tXVI. (2009). Caritas in Veritate. accessed January, 19, Vatican.va.
